Psychology Research Showcase 2026
Session A
| Poster# | Project Title | Author(s) | Corresponding Author Name: | Abstract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emotions in motion: The influence of emotions on memory for videos | Priscilla Castillo-Madrigal (first author) Lily Yoder (first author) Regan Christian Carmen E. Westerberg | Priscilla Castillo-Madrigal, Lily Yoder | Previous research indicates that emotional items are better remembered than neutral items. Furthermore, for negative stimuli, central details are better remembered at the cost of memory for peripheral details. However, emotional memory research has primarily relied on static affective stimuli such as pictures, which may have limited ecological validity, as real-world emotional experiences are multisensory and dynamic. The present study examined whether emotional valence influences content and contextual memory for video stimuli that are visually complex, narrative-based, and include audio. Young adult participants (N = 55) completed three experimental blocks in which they viewed four emotionally valenced news videos (two positive, two negative) and two neutral videos, presented in one of six locations on a screen. Videos were from a publicly available dataset previously rated for arousal and valence and were relatively brief (average length = 45 s). After each block, participants completed spatial memory and free recall tests for each of the six videos. Preliminary analyses indicate that fewer details were remembered from negative videos compared with neutral and positive videos and that memory for spatial context was less accurate for negative videos than for positive and neutral videos. Additional preliminary analyses show that participants recalled a larger proportion of central details from positive videos, which is consistent with suggestions that positive valence enhances memory for central details at the expense of peripheral details. These results will provide important new insights regarding how emotions influence memory for dynamic situations unfolding across time. |
| 2 | Individual Differences Between Reported Mind-Wandering in Resting State EEG Data | Emma Schulz Anthony Kang Reiko Graham | Reiko Graham | The interruption of a stream of consciousness when attention shifts from external tasks to internal thoughts- known as Mind Wandering (MW)- is an occurrence marked by its variability across individuals. The present study aims to identify and compare neural patterns associated with these individual differences by examining oscillatory power changes across brain regions in individuals with high and low MW during eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) conditions. These conditions provide insight into the activation of specific regions within the default mode network (DMN) during individual MW. To test this, 51 college students completed the Four-Factor Mind Wandering Questionnaire (4FMWQ) and were grouped into high MW (scores ≥ 33) and low MW categories. Students’ resting-state EEG data were pooled from two separate studies that included the 4FMWQ. The averages across 64 channels were squared, log-transformed, and clustered by electrode within nine topographic regions for each frequency band and condition. A mixed factorial ANOVA was used to compare factors within clusters and between high and low MW groups. Data analyses are ongoing, and results will be discussed in relation to current MW literature, with additional planned analyses (e.g., theta-beta ratio) examining the strength of DMN engagement during MW periods. |
| 3 | I’m not being critical, but others might be: U.S. children predict their peers will tell fewer prosocial lies than they tell themselves | Chloe Downey, Kala Davis, Madison L. Riley, Katherine Rice Warnell, & Jennifer M. Clegg | Chloe Downey | Children often display a gap between their knowledge and ability to display social norms (Blake et al., 2014). When asked to provide feedback on a poor drawing, children told prosocial lies at significantly lower rates than when asked a hypothetical question about what another child should do, demonstrating a knowledge-behavior gap for prosocial lies (De La Cerda et al., 2023). This knowledge-behavior gap may be due to differences between tasks, including the use of normative language and viewing the drawing. In our study, children viewed objectively poor drawings on all trials, and normative language was examined in self and other contexts. We recruited N = 96 4-8-year-old U.S. children who evaluated puppets’ poorly drawn pictures by placing them in “good” or “bad” bins. Children evaluated the pictures (self) and reported what they thought another child might say (other). Children were asked one question using normative language and another without normative language. Children also completed executive function and theory of mind measures. Results indicated that children were more likely to tell a prosocial lie in the self than in the other trials (p = .009), but there was no significant effect of normative language (p = .368), nor was there an interaction between trial type and normative language (p = .125). Gender, age, executive function, and theory of mind were not predictive of children’s likelihood of prosocial lying (ps > .236). These findings have implications for examining children’s understanding of and engagement in social behaviors rooted in complex social norms. |
| 4 | Impact of ADHD on Item-by-Item and Aggregate Metacognitive Judgements Across Multiple Tasks | Ainsley Tyler Xander Shannon Rozlyn Lopez William Kelemen Minyu Chang Katherine Warnell | Ainsley Tyler | ADHD is characterized by impulsivity and inattention, but recent research highlights its impact on social cognition and metacognition. Across two studies, we examined the relationship between ADHD and self-assessment accuracy. In Study 1, N = 202 adults (mean age = 39.7y) completed face-based and story-based social tasks and a math control task. While ADHD status did not impact actual performance, adults with ADHD significantly underestimated their abilities. ADHD traits moderated the accuracy-estimate link for face-based social cognition (Delta R^2 = .019, p = .049), where higher traits predicted lower metacognitive accuracy. Study 2 (N = 148 undergraduates, mean age = 18.89y) replicated the face-based and math tasks while adding item-level confidence judgments (using gammas). Replicating Study 1, no actual performance differences were found (ps > .56). However, unlike Study 1, ADHD diagnosis was not related to estimated performance (ps > .79), and ADHD traits did not significantly moderate the social accuracy-estimate relation (p = .710). Gamma analyses revealed significantly higher sensitivity for math than social cognition (M = .64 vs. M = .33, p < .001), but no differences emerged based on ADHD status or traits (ps > .25). These findings suggest that ADHD-related metacognitive differences observed in community adults may not generalize to younger undergraduate populations. This underscores the importance of considering developmental stage and environment when assessing outcomes in ADHD, with broader implications for how individuals monitor their social cognitive abilities. |
| 5 | Differences in electrocortical activity during inner and spoken speech production | Electra Zatorski Milo Milby Dr. Reiko Graham | Electra Zatorski | Understanding how inner speech is manifested electro-cortically is important for the development of brain-computer interfaces for communication, as well as gaining insight into disorders where inner speech is disrupted/misattributed. This study examined similarities and differences between event-related potentials (ERPs) during inner vs spoken speech production. Twenty-five undergraduate students first viewed a response preparation cue (inner vs. spoken), followed by a word that they either spoke inwardly or aloud, depending on the cue. Current analyses focused on ERP amplitudes obtained during speech execution. ERPs were quantified in 50 ms windows from 150-350 ms over frontal, central, and posterior sites as a function of laterality (left, middle, right). Analyses indicated that changes in response began after approximately 200 ms and were manifested as differences in the topographic distribution of amplitudes over time. More specifically, ERP differences to responses were first manifested during the 200-250 ms window, with larger negative amplitudes to “spoken” vs. “inner” speech production in the right posterior regions. A significant interaction between laterality and response occurred in the 250-300ms window. This is exemplified by the larger positive amplitudes in the left frontal and medial central regions for inner speech production. This interaction concludes in the 300-350 ms window; specifically, greater positive amplitudes were measured in the medial and posterior right regions during verbal inner speech production. Although tentative, results provide evidence of dissociable electrocortical signatures of brain activity for inner and spoken speech production. Increasing statistical power and exploring these interactions will enrich these preliminary findings |
| 6 | Attitudes and Beliefs about Depression among Hispanic College Students | Rocio Samaniego Maria Czyzewska Jessica Perrotte Roque Mendez | Rocio Samaniego | Hispanic cultural values such as familism, simpatía, and religiosity may shape how individuals perceive depression, internalize stigma, and select coping strategies. The present study examined whether perceived family attitudes toward depression (public stigma) predict self-stigma among Hispanic college students and whether familism and simpatía moderate this relationship. Additionally, the study explored whether religiosity predicts preference for faith-based coping strategies, and whether this association is mediated by beliefs about the causes of depression. A total of 145 Hispanic undergraduate college students were recruited through SONA and completed an online survey via Qualtrics. Moderation analyses indicated that familism significantly moderated the relationship between perceived family stigma and self-stigma. This association was stronger among individuals with higher levels of familism, suggesting that those who strongly value family relationships may be more likely to internalize stigmatizing family attitudes toward depression. In contrast, simpatía did not significantly moderate this relationship. Religiosity predicted a stronger preference for faith-based coping strategies, and this relationship was partially mediated by beliefs about the causes of depression. Individuals with stronger religious beliefs were more likely to attribute depression to spiritual or moral causes, which increased their preference for faith-based coping methods such as prayer. These findings highlight the complex role of cultural values and beliefs in shaping stigma and treatment preferences related to depression among Hispanic populations and underscore the importance of culturally informed mental health interventions. |
| 7 | Sleep Contributes to the Negative Memory Bias in Individuals High in Depressive Symptoms | Ashlynn Friudenberg Sampada Niroula Regan Christian Grace Lodzinski America Rosas Sanchez Carmen E. Westerberg | Ashlynn Friudenberg | Depressed individuals typically exhibit superior memory for negative compared with neutral and positive information. During sleep, memory consolidation stabilizes and strengthens recent memories for long-term storage. Coinciding with theories suggesting that goal-consistent memories are preferentially consolidated during sleep, we hypothesized that sleep-dependent memory consolidation may contribute to memory bias through the selective strengthening of negative memories in depressed individuals. Potential participants completed a depression inventory and those with high and low depressive symptoms were invited to participate. Participants listened to a story with happy, sad, and neutral details then took a 90-min break. Half of each group (high or low) took a nap monitored with polysomnography (n = 31). The other halves of each group remained awake (n= 36). After the break, all participants took a free recall test for details from the story heard before the break. For participants who slept during the break, there were no differences in time spent asleep or in any physiological aspects of sleep between high and low depressive groups, but there was a trend for participants with high depressive symptoms to recall a smaller proportion of happy details than participants with low depressive symptoms. For participants who remained awake during the break, there were no differences in memory between groups. These preliminary results suggest that sleep-dependent memory consolidation may contribute to the negative memory bias in depression and that future treatments aimed at prioritizing positive memories for sleep-dependent memory consolidation may help to ameliorate the negative memory bias in depressed individuals. |
| 8 | Understanding authenticity: The roles of empathy and adverse childhood experiences | Madison Pittman Krista Howard Natalie Ceballos Reiko Graham | Madison Pittman | Forming an authentic sense of self/identity has been linked to positive mental health outcomes, such as increased self-esteem and a lower risk for depression (e.g., Wenzel & Lucas-Thompson, 2012). Woods et al. (2008) conceive of authenticity as a 3-factor construct consisting of authentic living (inner/outer self-congruence; positive), accepting external influence (susceptibility to others; negative), and self-alienation (feeling disconnected from oneself; negative). The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between authenticity, empathy, and childhood adversity in 281 undergraduate students. Participants completed the Authenticity Scale (Wood et al., 2008), the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study Questionnaire (Felittie et al., 1998), and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (Davis, 1983) as part of a larger study. Relationships between ACE scores, IRI subscale scores (fantasy, empathic concern, perspective-taking, and personal distress) were examined via separate regressions for each of the 3 Authenticity subscale scores (authentic living, accepting external influence, and self-alienation). The personal distress subscale was a significant predictor of all 3 authenticity subscales, being negatively associated with authentic living and positively associated with both the susceptibility to the influence of others and self-alienation. While empathic concern and perspective-taking scores predicted authentic living, they were not associated with the other 2 subscales. Childhood adversity was not a predictor of authentic living or susceptibility but was positively associated with self-alienation. While preliminary, these results suggest people who experience intense, self-focused distress when witnessing others in negative emotional states are particularly vulnerable to feeling inauthentic, conforming to others’ expectations, and self-alienation. |
| 9 | Social Rejection, the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, and Rumination in an LGBTQ+ Sample | Mary R. Prochazka, B.A. | Megan L. Rogers, Ph.D. | External minority stress (e.g., discrimination) disproportionately impacts LGBTQ+ individuals compared to heterosexuals and is linked to increased rates of suicidal ideation (SI). Perceived burdensomeness (PB) and thwarted belongingness (TB) are risk factors for SI in the general population and LGBTQ+ individuals. Rumination, specifically brooding, has also been identified as a risk factor for SI and is elevated in LGBTQ+ individuals after experiencing discriminatory experiences. However, it remains unknown if rumination strengthens the relationships between external minority stressors, PB, TB, and SI. The present study tested how external minority stress and SI are related in LGBTQ+ adults, and how Pb and TB, respectively, can account for this relationship when being strengthened by brooding. Participants were 349 community-based adults (57.3% men, 81.4% gay/lesbian, 44.1% White) aged 18 to 74 years (M=31.11, SD=7.11) who completed self-report measures. Both external minority stress (B=.50, p<.001) and brooding (B=.08, p=.002) significantly predicted PB. Brooding was the only significant predictor of TB (B=.05, p=.013). There was not a significant interaction between external minority stress and brooding in predicting PB, but there was for TB (B=-.04, p=.011). Both PB (B=2.57, p<.001) and brooding (B=.53, p=.001) directly predicted SI. There was a significant indirect effect of external minority stress and suicidal ideation through perceived burdensomeness at low (B=1.22), average (B=1.29), and high (B=.1.26) levels of brooding. Alternatively, the indirect effect of external minority stress on suicidal ideation through thwarted belongingness was not significant at any level of brooding. Implications, limitations, and future directions will be discussed. |
| 10 | Defining Interactions between Cam Models and Members: Does Relationship Status Have an Impact on the Investment Model? | Selena Piercy, B.S. Chelsea Trejo, B.S. Rhonda N. Balzarini, Ph.D. Brandi Reynolds, B.S. Taylor Himes, M.A. Faith Swanson Christopher R. Agnew, Ph.D. | Selena Piercy | An increasing number of individuals engage with camming platforms not only for sexual gratification but also to fulfill emotional, psychological, and relational needs. Although these exchanges are often viewed as purely transactional, many evolve into ongoing, emotionally meaningful relationships that blur the line between commercial and intimate connection. This study examined members (n = 544) and models (n = 199) to test whether perceiving one’s interactions as part of a romantic or relational bond predicted differences in sexual and relational well-being. Participants who identified as being “in a relationship” reported higher sexual satisfaction, desire, investment, and commitment, and viewed their partners as more attractive and of higher mate value. These findings highlight that technologically mediated relationships can promote authentic emotional closeness and challenge assumptions that digital sexual exchanges are devoid of relational depth or intimacy. As online platforms increasingly serve as spaces for emotional connection, understanding these dynamics can help destigmatize digital intimacy and inform future work on technology’s role in modern relationships. |
| 11 | Examining the relationship between individual differences in perspective taking and syntactic priming in monolingual and bilingual speakers | Madison L. Riley, Katherine Rice Warnell, Jennifer M. Clegg, Ian Vonderharr, Kristen Tooley | Madison L. Riley | During social use of language, alignment occurs at several different lexical levels, including that of syntax. Syntactic priming, or the increased likelihood of using a syntactic structure due to previous exposure, is thought to be affected by other social cognitive abilities, such as perspective-taking. The ability to take into account the thoughts and feelings of another person, or perspective-taking, may play a part in predicting the frequency of syntactic priming, meaning that each individual’s level of perspective-taking could lead to an individual level of likelihood of being syntactically primed. Furthermore, bilingual people have been found to have higher rates of perspective-taking, meaning that there may also be group differences in perspective-taking, and therefore, also, syntactic priming rate between monolinguals and bilinguals. We predicted that perspective-taking scores would positively predict the rate of structural priming. We also predicted higher perspective-taking scores in bilingual participants than monolingual participants across three different perspective-taking measures. We collected data from 26 undergraduate Texas State students who were monolingual or bilingual speakers. Multi-level logistic regressions do not indicate evidence for our first hypothesis that perspective-taking scores predict priming rate (p > .05 for all models). However, independent-samples t-tests provided preliminary evidence that bilinguals have higher rates of perspective-taking than monolinguals on at least two of our measures of perspective-taking. Thus far, our results indicate that language status does play a role in an individual’s ability to consider others’ perspectives; however, a larger sample size is necessary to parse the relationships between perspective-taking and structural alignment. |
| 12 | Coping Motives as a Moderator of the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Hazardous Alcohol use: The Moderating Role of Coping Drinking Motives | Rebeca Moreno Moreno, R., G., Jaramillo, A., Wilson, K, Gavilanes, V., Schmidt, C.J., & Perrotte, J.K., | Dr. Jessica K. Perrotte | Research has shown that college students with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and parental-related traumas are more likely to use alcohol to cope and are at increased risk for behavioral health disorders such as alcohol use disorder (AUD) (Norton et al., 2023). However, less is known about how the relationship between early trauma and alcohol use may change as a function of using alcohol to cope. As a part of ongoing work, this study aims to examine psychological factors such as coping motives in how it may interact with hazardous drinking and adverse childhood experiences. Data collection for the current project is nearing completion, and the analysis will be conducted in time for this presentation. Participants are 250 college-aged individuals, who completed an online survey through the Prolific platform. Measures include the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to examine hazardous alcohol use, the Drinking Motives Questionnaire (DMQ-SF) to measure coping motives, and the ACE-10 items measure to assess childhood or early life adversity. A Multiple regression with moderation will be conducted to understand the potential interaction between ACE exposure levels and coping drinking motives in possible prediction for hazardous alcohol consumption. |
| 13 | MULTIVARIANT USE: THE INTERSECTION OF RACIAL/ETHNIC AND SEXUAL MINORITY IN MEN WHO USE STIMULENTS | Nathanael Bierly Ty Schepis, PhD | Nathanael Bierly | Stimulant related harms remain a major public health concern in the United States, with recent data showing rising psychostimulant related mortality and disproportionate impacts on racial and ethnic minority groups (Jones et al., 2023; Spencer, 2024). Sexual minority men (SMM) also experience elevated rates of stimulant use, polysubstance involvement, and associated health risks, patterns linked to chronic discrimination and minority stress (Meyer, 2003; Philbin et al., 2020). Although both racial and ethnic minorities and SMM show heightened vulnerability, most existing research examines these identities separately, relying on pre COVID data, or focuses on substances such as alcohol or tobacco rather than illicit stimulants. Intersectional discrimination increases substance use risk and stimulant related harms continue to disproportionately affect marginalized groups (Alcala, 2023). Research is needed to clarify how the combined effects of racial, ethnic, and sexual minority status shape stimulant use, stimulant use disorder, and polystimulant involvement among men in America. Nationally representative survey data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) (years 2021- 2024) will be used to conduct data analyses. Planned analyses for the hypotheses are a multiple regression analysis with the demographic factors of race and sexual minority status predictive outcome on single stimulant use. Logistic regression analysis will be used to explore the predictions of racial and sexual minority men compared to white heterosexual men in polystimulant use, as well as the intersectional identity of an individual and stimulant use disorder prevalence. |
| 14 | Social media use, grit, and academic satisfaction in male and female GenZ college students: a moderated mediation approach | William Paxton Jessica Perrotte Krista Howard Natalie Ceballos | William Paxton | For some students, excessive social media use can hinder various academic aspects of the college experience. This study examined the association between social media use and academic satisfaction, as well as the potential mediating role of grit (a malleable trait characterized by passion and perseverance toward long-term goals) and the potential moderating role of gender on this relationship. Undergraduates (N = 449; 77% women) completed an online survey with questions about social media use and academic satisfaction, as well as the Duckworth Grit Scale. Mediation (model 4) and moderated mediation (model 59) were analyzed using Hayes’ PROCESS macro (v5.0) in SPSS 29 with 5,000 bootstrap samples to determine confidence intervals (95% CI). Grit fully mediated the relationship between social media use and academic satisfaction. Gender moderated the indirect effect of social media use on academic satisfaction through grit. Second-stage moderated mediation was indicated by a significant interaction of grit and gender on academic satisfaction, in which grit significantly increased academic satisfaction for women but not for men. Conditional direct effects of social media use on academic satisfaction were non-significant. The conditional indirect effect of social media use on academic satisfaction through grit was significant for women but not for men. While these results should be confirmed using a longitudinal design in a larger, more representative sample, our preliminary findings suggest that the cultivation of a gritty mindset may help female undergraduates overcome excessive social media use and achieve greater academic satisfaction. |
| 15 | Medication Adherence, Social Support, and College Adjustment | Otilio Barro Dr. Kelly Zolnierek-Haskard | Otilio Barro | Medication adherence involves the degree to which patients follow a treatment regimen prescribed by their provider. Past research indicates that social support is a strong predictor of patient adherence (DiMatteo, 2004; Saylor et al. 2018). College students, who are living away from home for the first time and are adjusting to college life, may have less access to social support and may also experience challenges with medication adherence. First-generation students may have additional difficulty adjusting to college. Past research has not examined how adjustment to college relates to social support and medication adherence. The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the relationship between social support, adjustment to college, and medication adherence in emerging adults transitioning into college. We are also interested in exploring the differences in these variables between first-generation and non-first-generation students. Undergraduate students are currently being recruited via SONA to complete an online survey. The survey includes the College Adjustment Test, the ISEL-12 measure of social support, questions about sources of social support created for the purpose of this study, a single-item visual analog scale measuring medication adherence, and the Medical Outcomes Study measure of patient adherence. We hypothesize that 1) low social support will be associated with low adherence and poor adjustment to college in emerging adults, and 2) first-generation students will have lower social support, lower adherence, and lower college adjustment compared to non-first-generation students. |
| 16 | Polysubstance Use as a Moderator of the Relationship between Adolescents’ Traumatic Experiences and Suicide-Related Outcomes | Ayrika J. Thomas Julia F. Penn, BA Madeline A. Wootan Megan L. Rogers, PhD | Ayrika Thomas | Objective: Previous research has investigated how substance use affects the relationship between traumatic experiences and suicidal behaviors in adolescents. Studies have shown that trauma increases both suicidal ideation and attempts in teens; the current study examined how substance use amongst teens moderated the relationship between traumatic experiences (i.e., sexual violence, dating violence, bullying) and pastyear suicidal ideation and attempts.suicidal ideation and attempts. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), a cross-sectional, school-based survey of U.S. students in grades 9–12. A total of 20,103 students (ages 14 – 18 years, 51.9% boys, 48.1% White) completed anonymous, self-administered questionnaires. Results: Polysubstance use moderated the relationships between sexual violence (OR = .86, p = .001), dating violence (OR = .81, p < .001), and bullying (OR = .93, p = .005) and past-year suicidal ideation. Additionally, substance use moderated the relationship between sexual violence (OR = .91, p = .001), dating violence (OR = .89, p < .001), and bullying (OR = .95, p = .048) and past-year suicide attempts. In all cases, the relationships between traumatic experiences and suicide-related outcomes were strongest among those who used a greater number of substances. Conclusion: Polysubstance use significantly strengthened the relationship between sexual violence, dating violence, and bullying in past-year suicidal ideation and attempts. In addition to treating trauma itself, clinicians should address substance use to mitigate the connection between traumatic experiences and suicide. |
| 17 | Temporal and Demographic Trends in Theories of Intelligence Scores: A Systemic Literature Review | Ingrid Leake William Kelemen | William Kelemen | Theories of Intelligence (TOI), commonly referred to as growth and fixed mindset beliefs, are widely studied in educational and psychological research. Despite the large number of studies using Dweck’s TOI scale, few efforts have systematically compared reported TOI mean scores across time, age groups, and geographic regions. The present study conducted a systematic literature review to examine temporal and demographic trends in TOI scores reported in the literature. A total of 101 empirical studies using Dweck’s TOI scale and reporting mean scores were collected through searches of PsycINFO and Google Scholar. For each sample, publication year, participant age group, country, scale format, and mean scores were recorded. Because studies used different versions of the TOI scale, scores were standardized by recoding items so higher values reflected stronger growth mindset beliefs and converting means to a proportion of the scale maximum. Results showed a significant increase in mean growth mindset scores across decades, with a statistically significant difference between the 2011–2020 and 2021–2026 decades (p = .011). East Asian samples showed lower mean TOI scores compared to samples from other regions (p = .027), although this comparison was confounded by unequal representation of studies across decades. No significant differences were found between children (M = .6394) and adults (M = .6130). A major limitation across studies was variation in TOI scale adaptations, which complicates direct comparison across studies. |
| 18 | Exploring Identity Leadership in Charity Organizations: A Thematic Analysis of Leaders’ Perspectives on Well-Being and Organizational Functioning | MD SHAFIQUL ISLAM | MD SHAFIQUL ISLAM | This project examines leadership practices in charity organizations, with a specific focus on identity leadership and its association with members/volunteers’ well-being and organizational functioning. Identity leadership theory describes leadership as a process of social influence grounded in shared group membership, and it is most effective when it fosters a collective sense of “we” (Haslam et al., 2026). Previous research showed that knowing “who we are” is very important for non-profit organizations. These strategies help to guide organizational policy and organizational decisions. In this study, I will conduct qualitative, semi-structured interviews with participants who hold leadership roles in charitable organizations. Data analysis will involve thematic analysis to examine leadership, members/volunteers’ well-being, as well as organizational functioning of the charity organizations |
| 19 | Longitudinal Associations Between Aggression Subtypes and Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents with Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders | Whitley Keller Megan L. Rogers Ariel McField Roberto López Jr. | Whitley Keller | Various forms of aggression (e.g., physical, verbal, anger, and hostility) are important predictors of adolescent suicide risk. Of these forms, hostility appears to be most strongly associated with adolescent suicidal ideation; however, there is no prior research on this effect in adolescents with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. Additionally, most existing research is cross-sectional in nature. To address this gap, we examined which form(s) of aggression most strongly predicted baseline suicidal ideation and changes in suicidal ideation over 12 months using data from 110 adolescents (Mage=15.71 years; 57.3% male) who were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. Aggression was assessed via self-report at baseline, and suicidal ideation was assessed at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12-months. In a structural equation model simultaneously accounting for the four aforementioned aggression types, hostility was the only significant predictor of baseline suicidal ideation (b=1.32, se=0.03, p=.014) and change over time (b=-0.07, se=0.31, p< .001), with higher baseline hostility associated with greater initial ideation and steeper declines in ideation over time. Findings highlight hostility as a salient risk factor for suicidal ideation among youth with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders and underscore its value as a treatment target for this population. |
| 20 | When Sounds Create Distance: Exploring the Relationship between Misophonia and Loneline | Megan Singer Dr. Katherine Warnell | Megan Singer | Misophonia is characterized by intense negative emotional and physiological reactions to specific auditory and visual stimuli, often triggering a fight-or-flight response. Although public awareness remains limited, estimates suggest up to 20% of individuals experience misophonia or related traits that can impair daily functioning and well-being. Symptoms are commonly provoked by human-produced sounds (e.g., chewing, breathing) and may be intensified when the source is familiar, often leading individuals to avoid social situations. This avoidance suggests a potential link between misophonia and loneliness; however, this relationship has not yet been empirically examined. Additionally, misophonia frequently co-occurs with conditions such as anxiety and depression, raising the possibility that loneliness may contribute to broader internalizing symptoms. Undergraduate participants completed an online survey assessing misophonia (MisoQuest), loneliness (UCLA 3-Item Loneliness Scale), depression (PHQ-9), generalized anxiety (GAD-7), and social anxiety (SIAS). We collected data from 131 participants (M age = 18.96), 84% were female and 13% were male. 33.6% were White or Caucasian and identified Hispanic or Latino, 29.8% were White or Caucasian and did not identify as Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% were Black or African American and not Hispanic or Latino. The relative level of misophonia traits is positively correlated with loneliness, even when controlling for generalized anxiety and depression (although the correlation does not persist when social anxiety is added to the model). These findings suggest that even subclinical misophonia traits are meaningfully related to loneliness. Future analyses will control for demographic and psychological variables and test whether loneliness mediates the relationship between misophonia and internalizing symptoms. Overall, this study highlights the importance of examining misophonia within a broader psychosocial context to inform future research and intervention efforts. |
| 21 | Social motives and alcohol consumption in college students: The role of FOMO (fear of missing out) | Charlie Perez Natalie Ceballos Reiko Graham | Charlie Perez | The transition from high school to college is a period of heightened vulnerability for increased alcohol use, although students are affected unequally. This study examined the possible roles depression, trait anxiety, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), social support (friends vs. family), and fear of missing out (FOMO) as correlates of alcohol consumption among college students, and tested group differences between those whose drinking increased from high school to college and those whose did not. Survey data were collected from 165 undergraduates (125 females; M age = 21.4). For the first analysis, drinkers were isolated (n = 133) and a linear regression examined correlates of alcohol consumption. FOMO positively predicted alcohol use, whereas trait anxiety and ACEs were negative predictors. For the second analysis, participants were grouped by self-reported increases (n = 62) versus no changes (n = 82) in alcohol consumption from high school to college. Baseline drinking patterns were compared before including this grouping variable in a logistic regression. Although groups did not differ in overall consumption (e.g., quantity in the past six months, binge drinking), the group who increased consumption tended to drink more per episode. Logistic regression revealed that FOMO and social support from friends positively predicted increases in alcohol use from high school to college. Together, these findings highlight the role of social motives—particularly FOMO—in identifying students most likely to drink more heavily or escalate drinking during the transition to college, with implications for prevention and intervention efforts on college campuses. |
Session B
| Poster# | Project Title | Author(s) | Corresponding Author Name: | Abstract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baby Brings Perspective: How pregnancy and childrearing impact relationships between Latinx teen parents and their parents | Linda Kim Aidan Young Brooke Widner Dr. Andrew Behnke | Linda Kim | For more than half a century, fertility rates have steadily fallen around the world (UN, 2024); this includes birth rates for U.S. teenage mothers across all racial and ethnic groups (CDC, 2024). However, the U.S. teen birth rate continues to be one of the highest among industrialized nations (Mickler, 2025). In addition, for Hispanic females in the U.S., the teen birth rate is salient at 21 births per 1,000 (females aged 15-19), more than twice the teen birth rate for non-Hispanic White females (CDC, 2024). Despite these rates, little research has examined how parenthood shapes the relationships between Latinx teen parents and grandparents (Zambrano et al., 2024). The existing literature reflecting the point of view of adolescent mothers has shown positive relational outcomes for adolescent parents, children, and grandparents (Perez-Brena et al., 2015). The purpose of this study is to explore the grandparents' perspectives as well as those of parenting mothers and fathers in Hispanic American families. Data will be drawn from 12 focus groups and interviews conducted during the summer of 2024 and 2025 for Strengthening Relationships/Strengthening Families (SR/SF), a program serving teen parents across Central Texas. Research participants included teen mothers and fathers and their parents (the grandparents of the babies). Qualitative data from focus groups and interviews were evaluated using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2019), progressing through three coding stages to identify thematic prevalence and density. The adaptation in adolescent parent-grandparent relationships following childbirth emerged as a dominant theme that warranted further investigation. |
| 2 | Ethnic Identity as a Protective Factor Against Substance Misuse and High-Risk Behaviors Among Latina Emerging Adults with Elevated ACEs | Delsia Maldonado | Dr. Jessica Perrotte | Substance use and risky sexual behavior remain significant concerns among emerging adults with adverse childhood experiences. When young adults have adverse childhood experiences or ACEs, research suggests they will more likely engage in high-risk behaviors, including alcohol and drug misuse, than young adults without adverse childhood experiences. However, cultural values such as ethnic identity are assumed to function as protective factors that may reduce this engagement in high-risk behaviors. This study is currently in progress and will be complete for conference presentation. Survey data will be collected through Prolific. Participants will complete an Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) screener to indicate their cumulative adversity, the Posttrauma Risky Behaviors Questionnaire (PRBQ) to assess substance abuse and sexual risk behaviors, and the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure–Revised (MEIM-R) to measure ethnic identity. We will analyze the data using descriptive and multiple linear regression with moderation techniques. Findings will allow for a deeper understanding of whether ethnic identity can act as a buffer against substance abuse and risky sexual behaviors during emerging adulthood for participants with higher ACEs scores. Although data collection is underway, the analysis will emphasize the additional impact of ethnicity, gender, and involvement in the foster system. Understanding how providing culturally responsive and trauma-informed prevention approaches that leverage a stronger ethnic identity as a resilience resource can decrease the chances for young adults to engage in substance abuse and high-risk behaviors, no matter their experiences in childhood. |
| 3 | Lost in Translation: False Memories in the Bilingual Brain | Beatriz Blanco,Venus Dao, Miranda Ramirez, Brea Mars, Brandy D. Saucedo, Shaun Wood, Ainsley Tyler, Ter’nique J. Wells, Landry S. Hanson, Rebecca G. Deason | Beatriz Blanco | False memories are highly susceptible to external influences such as misleading information and emotional context and language. The present study examines how misinformation affects memory accuracy in Spanish–English bilingual individuals, with a particular focus on the role of language and emotion. Participants will view two emotionally intense videos. After, they will be presented with narratives that include misleading details, delivered in either Spanish or English. Participants will then complete a series of recognition questions designed to assess memory accuracy and susceptibility to misinformation for both neutral and emotional details. This study investigates whether the language in which misinformation is presented influences the likelihood of false memory formation, as well as whether emotional stimuli amplify this effect. It is hypothesized that participants will be more susceptible to false memories when misinformation is presented in their native language, due to increased fluency and automatic processing, whereas second language processing may promote more careful and analytical evaluation, reducing susceptibility. Additionally, the emotionally arousing nature of the stimuli is expected to increase overall memory distortion. Findings from this research will contribute to a better understanding of how language and emotion interact to shape memory accuracy, with important implications for bilingual cognition. |
| 4 | Positive Emotion Intensity Moderates the Association Between Emotional Abuse and Suicidal Ideation Trajectories in Treatment-Seeking Adolescents | Konstance Neumann Natalie Ceballos Roberto López Jr. | Konstance Neumann | Emotional abuse is a significant predictor of suicidal ideation (SI) among adolescents, yet few studies have examined factors that may moderate this association. Intensity of positive emotions has been identified as a potential protective factor against negative mental health outcomes. We hypothesized that the association between emotional abuse and changes in SI over 12 months would be moderated by adolescents’ positive emotion intensity, such that higher positive emotion intensity would be associated with greater declines in SI. Participants were 111 adolescents (Mage = 15.71, SD = 1.17; range = 12-18) with comorbid substance use and psychiatric disorders enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. Self-reported SI was assessed at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months, while self-reported emotional abuse severity and positive emotion intensity were assessed at baseline. A latent growth curve model examined associations among variables. The final model explained substantial variance in change in SI over time (R² = 0.38, p = .020). Greater baseline emotional abuse severity predicted steeper declines in SI (b = −0.08, SE = 0.02, p = .001). Emotional abuse severity also interacted with positive emotion intensity: youth with high (b = −0.13, SE = 0.03, p < .001) and average (b = −0.08, SE = 0.02, p = .001), but not low (b = −0.03, SE = 0.04, p = .386), positive emotion intensity showed greater reductions in SI over time. Adolescents with more severe emotional abuse histories may benefit significantly from treatment, particularly when they report higher levels of positive emotion. |
| 5 | Understanding how sex moderates food addiction and risky substance use | CJ Schemidt, Dr. Jessica Perrotte | CJ Schemidt | Increasing research shows that there is a positive correlation between food addiction (FA) and related binge eating disorders with alcohol use disorder (AUD) (Takgbajouah et al., 2024; Bogsuz et al., 2020). Individuals that experience emotional dysregulation may be more likely to develop disordered addictive behaviors as a means of coping with negative affect. However, there is a dearth of research examining the relationships between FA and BED with cannabis use disorder (CUD) and AUD. Not only are AUD and CUD identified as among the most common substance use disorders, but research also suggests high levels of comorbidity between substance use disorders and other psychological disorders (e.g., eating disorders) (Wade 2025). Additionally, previous literature on food addiction largely assesses majority female samples despite evidence that males represent a significant portion of cases of binge eating disorder (Deloitte Access Economics 2020). Therefore, this study aims to assess the moderating effect of sex on the relationship between FA, AUD, and CUD. The research team is currently collecting data through the platform Prolific via an online survey from 250 young adult males (n = 125) and females (n = 125) throughout the United States. The data will be analyzed using a multiple linear regression model with moderation. These findings could provide new insights to the understudied link between FA and CUD and a more comprehensive understanding of how males experience addictive consumption across a range of behaviors. |
| 6 | Navigating Intergenerational Teen Parent Household Communication Through a Relational Dialectics Theory Lens: Competing desires for autonomy and support within parent-grandparent relationships | Melissa Hernandez Garza Alyeska Romero Marwa Azizi Dr. Andrew Behnke PhD | Melissa Hernandez Garza | Using thematic analysis by Braun & Clarke (2022), this poster seeks to analyze multigenerational teen parent household communication as they navigate ongoing dialectical tensions as coded from a dataset of thirteen group and individual interviews. Relational Dialectics Theory provides a framework for understanding the constant push-and-pull dynamics families face. It views contradicting desires not as a problem to be solved, but to be navigated with fluidity (Baxter, 2010). Relational Dialectics Theory establishes autonomy vs. connection as one of the primary core tensions in interpersonal communication (Braithwaite & Baxter, 2006). These two competing motives are prominent struggles young parents face. However, it is important to also view grandparents’ experiences, who likewise embark on a journey of self discovery as their relationships with their own children change and are simultaneously being created with their grandchildren (Dun & Sears, 2017). The research questions that guide our research are: What are the competing discourses teen parent households are experiencing and how is meaning constructed through their interplay under the Relational Dialectics Theory framework? How are these households navigating the clashing needs for autonomy and support? Our hope in generating this research is to further the use of Relational Dialectics Theory in marginalized communities, inform scholars of the adolescent parent and grandparent experience, and to encourage the study of these complex family systems to create therapeutic interventions tailored for multigenerational households. |
| 13 | Intimate Partner Violence and Suicidal Ideation: The Roles of Perceived Burdensomeness and Thwarted Belongingness | Madeline A. Wootan Megan L. Rogers | Madeline A. Wootan | Intimate partner violence (IPV) is characterized by physical or sexual violence, stalking, or psychological/emotional aggression by a current or former intimate partner. Thwarted belongingness (TB), characterized by a feeling of loneliness/perceived social disconnection, and perceived burdensomeness (PB), characterized by feeling like a burden to others, are proximal risk factors for suicide. The current study examined the experience of IPV on suicidal ideation and how TB and PB may account for this relationship. Participants include 252 college students (Mage = 22.24, 67.0% cisgender women, 41% White, 50.2% heterosexual), who indicated having experienced IPV and have had lifetime thoughts of suicide. During the survey, participants completed questions measuring IPV experiences, thwarted interpersonal needs, and suicidal ideation. IPV experience was not significantly associated with TB (B = .48, SE = .28, p = .092) or PB (B = .06, SE= .23, p = .801), Second, TB (B = .10, SE = .03, p =.002) and PB (B = .23, SE = .04, p < .001) both significantly predicted suicidal ideation when controlling for IPV experience. Lastly, there was no significant direct effect of IPV experience on suicidal ideation (B = .09, SE = .15, p = .493). Further, the indirect effect of IPV experience on suicidal ideation through TB was not significant (B = .05, SE = .04, CI [-0.01, 0.14]). Similarly, the indirect effect through PB was also not significant (B = .01, SE = 0.5, 95% CI [-0.09, 0.12]). These findings suggest that thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness do not explain the relationship between IPV experience and suicidal ideation. More nuanced results and implications of these findings will be discussed further. |
| 8 | Mate Value Discrepancy in Monogamous and Consensually Non-monogamous Relationships | Faith L. Swanson, Rhonda N. Balzarini, Justin K. Mogilski, Taylor M. Himes | Faith L. Swanson | Mate value discrepancy (MVD)—the perceived difference in desirability between partners based on traits such as appearance, personality, and status—has been linked to greater conflict and jealousy in monogamous relationships. However, little is known about whether similar patterns emerge in consensually non-monogamous (CNM) relationships, where partners permit additional romantic or sexual connections. Participants in monogamous (n = 312) and CNM (n = 200) relationships, recruited via social media and snowball sampling, reported their own and up to two partners’ mate value (MV), as well as experiences of conflict, jealousy, mate retention behaviors, and intrasexual competitiveness. We also examined whether CNM experience or engagement in common CNM relationship maintenance practices were associated with these outcomes. Across relationship types, individuals who perceived themselves as lower mate value (MV) reported greater conflict and intrasexual competitiveness with their primary partner. Among CNM participants, perceiving oneself as higher in MV than a secondary partner was associated with greater conflict, jealousy, and mate retention. Engagement in CNM relationship maintenance practices—such as disclosure of extra-pair attractions, comfort discussing jealousy, compersion, and shared extra-pair sexual experiences—were associated with lower conflict and jealousy. In contrast, endorsement of partner hierarchy, or the tendency to prioritize certain partners over others, was associated with more conflict, jealousy, and mate retention. These findings suggest that self-perceived MV shapes relational dynamics across relationship structures, while relational outcomes may be buffered or intensified relationship maintenance practices. |
| 9 | Cognitive Development on the Playground: Examining Theory of Mind and Executive Function | Kassidy Martinez Naomi Egbuna Crystelle Makia Katherine Rice Warnell Jennifer M. Clegg | Kassidy Martinez | Past research has found relations between children's theory of mind (i.e., understanding that other’s minds are distinct from their own) and executive function (i.e., inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility). Suggesting that executive function may underly children’s ability to pass canonical theory of mind tasks (see Devine & Hughes, 2014 for a meta-analytical assessment). Many studies examining these relations have been conducted in controlled lab settings. We are curious if similar results will be found in a less controlled setting with a community sample (Corriveau et al., 2015). Based on past findings, we predict children’s executive function will be positively associated with their theory of mind, even in non-controlled settings. Data collection is on-going , with 67 participants currently from the ages of 4- to 8-years-old in our study, all recruited from the local children’s park in partnership with the local Parks and Recreation Department. Children complete an adapted version of the Sally-Anne task (Wimmer & Perner, 1983) to assess their false-belief understanding, a component of theory of mind. Children also complete the day-night task (Gerstadt et al., 1994) to assess executive function. We will be analyzing the association between children’s executive function scores and their performance on the false-belief task controlling for age using a binary logistic regression. We predict that, consistent with past research, children with higher executive function scores will be more likely to pass the false belief task. |
| 10 | THE MANOSPHERE: ITS EFFECTS ON GENERATION Z DATING AND GENDER PERCEPTIONS | Stefanie Sliger Kelly Haskard-Zolnierek | Stefanie Sliger | This observational study examined the relationship between college students’ exposure to Manosphere-related content and attitudes toward sexism, gender roles, and dating outlooks. The Manosphere refers to a network of online communities characterized by anti-feminist ideologies and narratives centered on perceived male disadvantage. Given the increasing visibility of such content, this study investigated how frequency of exposure is associated with attitudes about relationships and gender dynamics among male and female college students. Participants (N = 155, Male: 30, Female: 119, Other: 6) completed an online survey in which they were presented with fictional Manosphere posts designed to reflect common ideological themes. Participants then reported how frequently they encounter similar content in their own social media environments. Measures of sexism, gender role attitudes, and dating-related beliefs, including relationship importance and dating optimism, were assessed. Preliminary results indicated that greater exposure to Manosphere-related content was not significantly associated with importance of romantic relationships (r = .09, p =.297) or reduced dating optimism (r = -.05, p = .501). Among male participants, higher exposure was positively, but not significantly, correlated with greater endorsement of traditional gender roles and sexist attitudes (r = .05, p = .804). Among female participants, greater exposure was positively, though not significantly, associated with higher ambivalence toward men (r = .09, p = .329). Results suggest that exposure to Manosphere-related content is not significantly associated with college students’ attitudes toward relationships and gender. Further research should be conducted in a sample that is more geographically and gender diverse. |
| 11 | You Say you’re in a slump: Coaches and athletes views of causes and cures for performance slumps | Kelsey Williams, BA Randall Osborne, PHD | Kelsey Williams | The purpose of this study is to compare how athletes and coaches perceive the causes of performance slumps and the strategies used to address them. Prior research has focused on defining slumps, identifying their causes, and examining athlete coping. Slumps are often characterized by declines in performance linked to factors such as high expectations, stress, anxiety, and self-blame. Athletes who experience slumps frequently may make internal, pessimistic attributions that can prolong underperformance, while attribution retraining may help reframe these experiences. Recent research also shows that both athletes and coaches define slumps in multiple ways, including psychological, performance-based, and temporal factors. However, few studies directly compare athlete and coach perspectives, despite coaches playing a key role in athlete support. This study addresses that gap using a survey including demographic questions, the Revised Causal Dimension Scale, and the 12 Coping Scales. Participants will be recruited through SONA and email and will complete a 20–25 minute Qualtrics survey. Although data collection is ongoing, it is expected that coaches will view slumps as more physical or technical, while athletes will see them as more mental or emotional. Athletes are also predicted to report more internal and stable attributions, while coaches may emphasize external, controllable factors. These differences may lead to miscommunication, and recognizing them could improve athlete coach collaboration and support strategies. |
| 12 | The Relationship Between Pregnancy Complications, Prenatal Worry, and Parental Identity | Grace Catherine Conway Dr. Kelly B Haskard-Zolnierek | Grace Catherine Conway | Although previous research has demonstrated that pregnancy complications can have lasting effects on maternal mental health following childbirth, relatively little work has examined how such complications are related to prenatal worry or the development of parental identity. Understanding these relationships is important for informing psychological support and intervention for both expectant and postpartum mothers. The present study conducted a secondary analysis using data originally collected for a broader investigation of psychosocial and behavioral experiences during and after pregnancy. Pregnant and recently pregnant participants completed an online survey that included questions from a modified Cambridge Worry Scale to assess prenatal worry and a modified Utrecht-Management of Identity Commitments Scale to measure parental identity. Participants were categorized based on the presence of either perceived pregnancy complications (n=170) or no complications (n =1100). Independent samples t-tests comparing women with perceived complications and those without complications revealed significant group differences across multiple prenatal worry subscales, including socio-medical, socioeconomic, health, and relationship-related concerns, as well as a significant difference in parental identity exploration. Women who reported perceived complications had higher mean scores across all prenatal worry domains and in parental identity exploration. No significant differences were observed in parental identity commitment or reconsideration. Overall, these findings suggest that pregnancy complications are associated with elevated prenatal worry and may be related to facets of parental identity development, particularly the extent to which women actively explore their role as a parent. |
| 7 | Dragon Complex: A Novel Psychological Phenomenon | Joshua Henderson Grace Peeler Randall Osborne Payten Altmeyer | Joshua Henderson | Dragon Complex: A Novel Psychological Phenomenon Problem: Compulsive buying is a known risk factor for shopping addiction (Kearney & Stevens, 2012). College students are particularly vulnerable due to factors such as limited financial knowledge (Harnish et al., 2017). Compulsive buyers often gravitate toward luxury items (e.g., jewelry) as a means of coping with stress, anxiety, and depression (Black, 2007; Lo & Harvey, 2014). However, little is known about whether the emotional reinforcement associated with acquisition extends to the later viewing of these items. This study addresses this gap by introducing a novel construct coined the Dragon Complex, piloting a scale to measure the psychological experience of viewing one’s collection. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of 321 college-aged participants was recruited via the Texas State University SONA system (Fall 2025). G*Power indicated a minimum sample of 175 (Faul et al., 2007). Participants completed a Qualtrics survey including validated measures of compulsive buying (Ridgway et al., 2008), narcissism (Paulhus et al., 2021), self-esteem (Rosenberg, 1965; Crocker et al., 2003), and the Big Five (Gosling et al., 2003; Goldberg, 1992), along with newly developed items assessing the Dragon Complex. Multiple regression analyses will examine relationships while controlling demographics. Results: We hypothesized that compulsive buying and narcissism would positively predict Dragon Complex scores, while self-esteem would predict a negative relationship. The Big Five was used to assess discriminant validity. Discussion: This study introduces a novel construct and may inform interventions for compulsive buying. It also lays groundwork for future research on post-acquisition emotional processes. |
| 14 | Student Attitudes Towards the Impact of Race-Based Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives in Universities on Racial Climate, School Belonging, and Well-Being | Alexandria Viltz, B.A Dr. Crystal Oberle, PhD Dr. Ariel McField, PhD Dr. Maria Czyzewska, PhD | Alexandria Viltz | Recent U.S. legislation and court rulings have led to the rapid removal of race‑based diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from public universities. These changes raise concerns about how the loss of DEI structures may affect students’ experiences, specifically for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students, who often rely on these programs for support, representation, and community. This study examines undergraduate students’ attitudes toward the removal of race‑based DEI initiatives and the perceived impact of such removals on racial climate, school belonging, and personal well-being. Undergraduate participants from a public university in central Texas completed an online survey including demographic questions, the newly developed Attitudes Toward DEI Removal Scale, and the Scale of Ethnocultural Empathy. Participants read 10 hypothetical scenarios describing the elimination of race-based DEI initiatives (e.g., cultural centers, targeted scholarships, mentoring programs) and rated expected effects on racial climate, belonging, well-being, and their support or opposition to each removal. Early analyses indicate that BIPOC students report more negative anticipated effects of DEI removals on their sense of belonging and well-being compared to White students. Perceived impact on racial climate shows smaller or less consistent group differences. Analyses investigating whether ethnocultural empathy predicts support for DEI removal are ongoing. Preliminary trends suggest that removing race‑based DEI initiatives may disproportionately harm BIPOC students’ psychological and social experiences. These findings underscore the importance of DEI structures in fostering inclusive, supportive campus environments and inform ongoing policy discussions in higher education. |
| 15 | The Weight of Identity: The Use of Alcohol as a Coping Mechanism in Relation to Ethnic Identity Among Young Adults | Valerie Gavilanes and PI: Jessica Perrotte (PhD) | Valerie Gavilanes | For many Latinx students, pursuing a higher education may involve the navigation of complex experiences tied to ethnic identity, which may influence their coping strategies. Prior research suggests that ethnic minority students may alter their alcohol consumption as a result of complex identity related experiences. Waldron et al. (2024) found that Latinx students attending a predominantly White institution (PWI) experienced more ethnic shame than students attending a Hispanic serving institution (HSI) and therefore, these students drank significantly more. Similarly, Macroni et al. (2022) found that students who experienced racial microaggressions while attending a PWI had a higher risk of alcohol use, particularly among young African American/Black students. Current research has yet to examine a broader and more diverse sample and has not fully delved into the relationship between alcohol as a coping strategy for the complex experiences that many young adults face when pursuing higher education. The present study aims to examine the relationship between ethnic identity, perceived discrimination, and alcohol use as a coping mechanism for such experiences using an online sample of 250 young adults throughout the United States. In an online survey, participants reported 1) ethnic identity through the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure – Revised, 2) discrimination as a result of ethnic identity through the Perceived Daily Discrimination scale, and 3) coping motives with the Drinking Motives Questionnaire – Revised – Short Form. Data collection and analysis are underway and will be completed in time for this presentation. |
| 16 | Leader Gender and Effectiveness: The Moderating Roles of Employee Gender and Organizational Sector | Chelsea Trejo Jeremy Wilson Lemoine | Chelsea Trejo | Research indicates that the overall gender gap between men and women in perceptions of leadership effectiveness has decreased over time (Paustian-Underdahl et al., 2014). Paustian-Underdahl et al. (2014) argue that the evaluation of leaders is shaped by characteristics of those making the judgements, as well as characteristics of the environment. One possible factor is the sector of the organization. In this study, we will compare perceptions of leadership effectiveness of men and women leaders working in different sectors that vary in their proportion among men employees. We expect that female leaders will be perceived as less effective in sectors with greater proportions of men but as more effective in sectors with greater proportions of women. |
| 17 | Gender Differences in Prosocial Lying in Young Children | Jordan, I., Warnell, K. R., and Clegg, J. M. Texas State University | Irene Jordan | Prosocial behavior is an important part of children’s social-cognitive development. Some research suggests that there are gender differences in children’s prosocial behavior, with girls often showing greater emotional sensitivity to others’ feelings (e.g., Eisenberg & Fabes, 1998). Consistent with this work, a recent meta-analysis in adults found that women were significantly more likely to tell altruistic white lies, or prosocial lies (Capraro, 2023). Research on children’s actual behavior, however, has predominantly found similar rates of prosocial behavior in boys and girls (e.g., De La Cerda et al., 2023; Talwar & Lee, 2007). To better understand gender differences in prosocial lying, the current study compares actual prosocial lying to understanding of prosocial lying norms among children ages 4-8. To date, N = 48 children have completed a drawing rating task in which a puppet expressed sadness about being bad at drawing. Children completed two trials in which they rated the drawing on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from very bad to very good. In the first trial, children rated the puppet’s drawing themselves (measuring behavior), and in the second trial, they chose which rating other child should give the drawing (measuring norm understanding). Data analyses are on-going, but we predict that gender differences will be larger in the behavior condition than the norm condition. This study will help us understand how children learn to balance their understanding of social norms guiding honesty and kindness. |
| 18 | Young Adult ADHD: Protective and Risk Factors for Coping Behaviors in College Students | Linda Garza, BA Roque Mendez, PhD | Linda Garza | Objective: This study seeks to examine the relationship between ADHD symptoms and maladaptive coping behaviors in young adults in college in the United States. It will explore how this relationship is moderated by the cultural value of familismo as well as common ADHD comorbidities. Methods: The sample will consist of approximately 160 undergraduate students from post-secondary institutions in the U.S. Only participants who report their ethnicity as being Latino or White will be included in exploratory analysis. Subjects will self report symptoms of ADHD (ASRS-5/Screener) and maladaptive coping. Subjects will also complete measures on depression, anxiety, and stress. Results: An analysis will be performed to assess the effect of ADHD severity on maladaptive coping, as moderated by familismo, depression, anxiety, and stress. A second analysis will be performed to assess the effect of ADHD status on maladaptive coping, as moderated by familismo, depression, anxiety, and stress. If a relationship exists between ethnicity and familismo, then an exploratory regression following the main analyses will be performed to assess whether the relationship between familismo and ADHD severity is moderated by ethnicity. |
| 19 | From Conflict to Connection: The Role of Responsive Validation in Sexual Desire | Brandi Reynolds Rhonda Balzarini | Brandi Reynolds | Sexual desire is central to maintaining romantic relationships, yet many couples experience sexual conflict that may erode desire over time. One way such conflict manifests is through unmet sexual ideals. Although unmet sexual ideals are associated with lower relationship and sexual satisfaction, their link to sexual desire has not been directly established. Partner responsiveness–demonstrating understanding, validation, and care–may help couples maintain desire and buffer the negative effects of unmet sexual ideals. Notably, responsiveness during event disclosure has been linked to increases in sexual desire following interactions. The current study examined whether enacted responsiveness during conflict discussions attenuates the negative association between unmet sexual ideals and desire. Conversations about unmet sexual ideals from 41 couples (N = 82) were recorded and coded for responsive behaviors (i.e., understanding, validation, and caring). Overall responsiveness did not moderate the association between unmet ideals and sexual desire. However, sensitivity analyses revealed that two of the three components did, with validation emerging as particularly influential. These findings provide preliminary evidence that responsiveness may function differently across relational contexts (e.g., event disclosure vs. sexual conflict), and highlight validation as a key process during conflict discussions. This work underscores the importance of examining distinct components of responsiveness and has implications for interventions aimed at improving conflict resolution and maintaining sexual desire. |
| 20 | Leader–Employee Gender Dynamics and Innovative Behavior: The Mediating Role of Team Identification | Lily Yoder Jérémy Wilson-Lemoine | Lily Yoder | This study examines how the gender of both the employee and the leader influences innovative behavior, with team identification serving as a mediating mechanism. ‘Team identification’ refers to when individuals identify with the larger collective of their work team. Previous research has found that team identification was positively associated with innovative behavior (Bracht et al., 2022). Innovative behavior is a dynamic process composed of idea generation, idea promotion, and idea realization (Janssen, 2000). Therefore, we expect gender to be associated with innovative behaviors through team identification, and we expect that women leaders will be perceived as fostering team identification more than men leaders due to stereotypes around women in leadership positions, such as being humble, emphasizing others over oneself, and promoting interpersonal support (Post et al., 2015). |